Jenny Blevins - The Artist

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As a young child, the most ghastly punishment I ever received

occurred when my markers and pencils taken from my possession

and placed on a high bookshelf. I had used them to create murals

on the living room walls and, therefore, lost the privilege of

drawing for several days. Those days passed terribly slowly, but

once my markers and pencils were returned to me, I lovingly

clutched them, ran gleefully to my bedroom, and drew myself

into oblivion. I knew, even then, that I didn’t simply want to

draw; I needed to draw.

In high school, I took as many art classes as possible. My senior year, when I couldn’t fit art into my schedule, I opted for an interior design class. I took great pleasure in manipulating space and color. This experience impacted me enough that I majored in interior

design and minored in art in college, where I became infatuated with

architectural renderings. With a desire to share art with others, I

continued my education by receiving teaching licensure. I have worked

as a design associate, an architectural renderer, and am now beginning

my fifth year as a middle school teacher. Few things are more rewarding

than helping middle school students draw away worries, sculpt away

self-doubt, and paint away the stresses of adolescence while creating art

they are truly proud of.

I find the geometry of architecture very alluring. I get lost in admiring angles and pondering details. The architectural renderings I create are crisp, clean, and precise. Typically I complete the renderings in rich ink; other times I soften the ink by applying gentle hues with colored pencils. My renderings can be drawn from photographs, from floor plans and elevations, or a combination of all three.

Poetry is another creative art that enjoy, and I frequently create illustrations to accompany my poems. Animals, nature, southern eccentricities, and quirky life experiences inspire many of my

poems and illustrations. For instance, my love of animals and vintage

fashion inspired a series of illustrations I’ve entitled, “Chic Creatures

of Wildwood Hollow.” In this series the animals wear vintage hats,

dance to Count Basie, and exemplify proper etiquette. With other

illustrations I aspire to bring significance, elegance, or curiosity to

everyday objects. Many simple items, such as shoes, can tell a story just

by being. I like to subtly imply that story through my drawings so the

viewer connects to the image on a deeper level.

“I have so many ideas for things to draw. At night I have to scoop them up and tuck them

into the nightstand drawer or these ideas will whisper all night and bounce around

in the floor so that I trip over them in the morning.”

~ Jenny Blevins